Speed forced to pull out of RoC

Although Speed did not suffer any significant injury in the accident, he has been forced to withdraw from the event at the eleventh hour on medical advice.

Organisers of the Race of Champions are working on a plan to bring 2004 NASCAR Nextel Cup Champion Kurt Busch to the Stade de France for the event, where he is being lined up to compete both in the individual event and the Nations Cup alongside American Rally Champion Travis Pastrana.

Speed had himself been a last-minute stand-in, signing up to the event a week ago after reigning Nextel Cup Champion and 2006 Daytona 500 winner Jimmie Johnson broke his left wrist in a golf cart accident.

"Unfortunately the doctor is not allowing Scott to do the event," said Race of Champions co-organiser Fredrik Johnsson.

"We're currently looking for a replacement to join the USA team. We have been in contact with Kurt Busch. He wants to come, he's trying to change some engagements he has, and if it all works out he will be here tomorrow morning in time for some practice."

Should Busch be able to make the event, he has been drawn against 2004 DTM champion Mattias Ekstrom in the first round.